Meet BK Bones

On the Isle of Wight with Iguanodon foot cast

BK Bones, aka Bethany Burke, has always loved all things prehistoric. As a child she wanted paleontology to be in every aspect of her day. She ate dinosaur-themed oatmeal whenever possible, sang “The Pterodactyl Song” when riding in cars, dug for fossils every day in her backyard, and read bedtime stories about dinosaurs.

Throughout the years, Bethany continued reading and learning about paleontology and went on many fossil hunting trips led by paleontologists.

Bethany is a graduate of Southwestern University with a B.A. in Rhetorical Communications (Research) which taught her a thing or two about being a great presenter. She spent her first dig season as a student with Colorado Northwestern Community College. Bethany also worked as Field Intern at The Montana Dinosaur Center. Bethany now serves as Lead Marine Researcher at Texas Through Time Fossil Museum, currently conducting research on the museum’s marine reptile site. Keep an eye out for her upcoming publications!

Bethany is also a certified fossil preparator and member of the Paleontological Society of Austin, Paleontological Society, and Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.
She has experience working with children in a variety of formats, including as a Pre-K teacher, and with older children at camps and clubs where she taught art, theater and STEM lessons. She has even taught college students as a university lecturer!

Bethany is quick to point out that paleontology isn’t all about dinosaurs, though. Bethany is an avid marine reptile fan! These days, Bethany’s research focus is on her favorite ancient creatures of all,  the apex marine predators known as mosasaurs. She specializes in “paleopathology”, meaning it is her job to look at the fossils and identify how the animal was hurt or what made it sick!

Her favorite dinosaur is a three-way tie between Spinosaurus, Protoceratops, and Linhenykus. Her favorite mosasaurs are Tylosaurs!